United-front promise for foam probe
Sanson’s water supply has tested safe from toxic foam contamination, a mayor says, amid promises information will be shared more openly with the public.
Manawatu¯ District Council mayor Helen Worboys said the latest Defence Force test results show Shannon’s water was clear of the chemicals found at properties near Ohakea Air Force Base. However, the Bulls water supply was still to be tested.
Testing began in December after it was revealed toxic chemicals from firefighting foams, used before being banned in 2011, had been found at high levels at Ohakea and Woodbourne air force bases, and the PFAS chemicals could have seeped out to nearby land.
In late January, it was confirmed the chemicals were present in high levels at nearby properties, including in water residents had been drinking.
Worboys and Horizons Regional Council representatives have been outspoken about the need for more open communication from government ministries dealing with the contamination, and Horizons has launched its own investigation.
On Friday, an agreement was formed for more proactive cooperation and information sharing between the Ministry for the Environment, the Defence Force, the Ministry of Primary Industries, Horizons Regional Council, Manawatu¯ District Council and Rangitı¯kei District Council, Worboys said.
‘‘There were too many mixed messages out there and there was no one point of contact for information. We had several ministries dealing with the community. That made it difficult...’’
A team led by the Ministry for the Environment will now put together ‘‘a communications plan that we all agree on, and an action plan... to get information out to those affected, or on the fringes, or even just the general public,’’.
The Ministry of Defence is still in charge of the science and testing ‘‘and don’t have the full information [yet], but they have a start,’’ she said. ‘‘This is an ongoing process and they are widening the area so they can give assurances to those who aren’t affected.’’
An 0800 number had also been made available ‘‘for anyone concerned’’ about the issue.
It was not yet known whether all testing results from the area and details surrounding them would be made public, Worboys said.
The land surrounding Ohakea sits immediately to the north of Bulls, separated by the Rangitı¯kei River. Andy Watson, mayor of Rangitı¯kei, said despite the natural division caused by the river, several residents have approached him with concerns about contamination.
The Ministry for the Environment was ‘‘proactively engaging’’ with landowners who are directly affected, he said. However, he declined to comment on whether the wider public, including his constituents, should have access to more information.
Horizons Regional Council chairman Bruce Gordon said the Friday meeting had ensured all agencies involved were ‘‘unified around the needs of the community’’, including easier access to the information.
Shine lawyers managing director Andrew Hooker said he met with about seven affected landowners last week to discuss their situation and concerns.
‘‘The people I’ve met with are concerned, but waiting for the process to go through. Generally, their main concern is that they’ve not been getting all the information.’’
The information line is 0800 668 776.